TRIP GUIDE - TSUKIJI FISH MARKET TUNA AUCTION - TOKYO JAPAN

The Tuna Fish Auction was really only 20 minutes, is it worth it? Well, considering Tsukiji Fish Market is the largest fish market in the world and houses some of the largest frozen tuna in the world, yes, it was well worth my sleep deprivation. You experience not only the sightings of the large tunas, but you experience an industry and a culture. Auctioneers sweat and stress over selecting the "perfect" tuna, some pacing back and forth, some staring at the fish for minutes. You experience a sort of dedication and passion from these fisherman, and there was a certain fire of respect that emerged from me - an appreciation for the art of Japanese cuisine. 

TRIP GUIDE TUNA AUCTION | We had done alot research on the Tuna Auction prior to our dedication, and I do recommend and stress (for those who wish to view the Tuna Auction) you must arrive to Tsukiji before 4:30AM. I woke up at 2:30 that day (had about 3 hours of sleep, maybe less) and was out the door by 3:30AM in a cab. There is no subway that early in the morning, you must take the cab. From Shinjuku to Tsukiji is approximately 30 minutes. They only allow 120 tourists into the Tuna Auction, while that sounds like alot, it is really broken down into two groups - 5:25AM viewing and 5:50 viewing, each group consisting of ONLY 60 people at once. Trust me, 120 spots are easy to fill up, there are keen tourists like us everyday. When we arrived around 4:00AM, there was already 15-20 people. It is EXCEPTIONALLY important to be part of the first group as next destination Sushi Dai opens at 5:00AM, and people line up at Sushi Dai at 5:00AM, hence, the earlier you arrive to Sushi Dai, the less time you have to wait there (again haha) and... the earlier you will get to eat.

It is incredibly dangerous in the market, little barrel carts (I made that name up) and whizzing around at high paces, each worker hurrying to beat the clock and grab stock. It's just common courtesy and respect to stay out of their way and let them move first. I like to say, it is out of their good will to allow tourists to tour the market. A few years ago, a few tourists arrived in the market drunk and was horsing around, Tsukiji closed the market from visitors for a few months. 

For reasons as such, Tsukiji market is taken very seriously by the Japanese, and to me, it makes the tour that much more interesting and more respectable. 

GLAMOUR SNAPS - TOKYO JAPAN FOOD TRIP SHOTS

I have taken a month absence to the land of incredibly exquisite and delicious food - Tokyo,Japan! 

I couldn't think of a better way to showcase the variety of delicacies I had than to create one large post of chosen glamour shots. Flipping through nearly thousands of pictures was not easy!Tokyo is a city filled so much excitement, I love how its cultured has been well preserved and each city within Tokyo paints a different story. 

Asakusa houses the Sensoji Temple, filling the streets with lanterns and drums in all shades of bright red. Harajuku is filled with fashionable teenagers and modern cafes. Ginza is a high-end, posh city filled with international brand names and extravagance. Shinjuku (where I stayed) is a towering city of offices, but has my favourite foodie street filled with scents of ramen, udon and beer.

This food journey had me eating 8 meals a day, each time eating a small portion. I thought Vancouver had good Japanese food, but boy is the authenticity lost across the Pacific Ocean. A walk into literally, any store, has a flavour of its own, a taste to remember. 

Stay tuned for some more in-depth reviews to launch later this week!

Follow me for some updated food journeys on instagram at:
web.stagram.com/n/jessimmica or @jessimmica :)

TEA-HEE - THOMAS HAAS FINE CHOCOLATES AND PATISSERIE - KITSILANO VANCOUVER

Thomas Haas houses my memory of the very first macaron in my life. Which is why I will always hold a dear string to this patisserie. 

But Thomas Haas is named for its fine chocolates and intricate cakes over its macarons. Their long practiced, and talented chocolate making is not longer merely for taste, but for the mastery of art and craftsmanship. Their intricate tea pairings and coffee grounds add not only pop to the tastebuds, but bring out a certain joy from the sweet yet bitter melts of chocolate. 


A group of four ordered-
White Chocolate Kalamansi Cake
Lemon Lemon Tart
Crispy Chocolate Raspberry 


Proscuitto Panini


Green Tea Latte
Caffe Americano
Green Tea with Peach

Disclaimer: Photos courtesy of my dear friend CCW <3

2539 W Broadway
Vancouver, BC

Dine Fine - [CLOSED] HAPA UMI - DOWNTOWN VANCOUVER

Hapa Izakaya has a popular ring to Vancouverites all over town. Hapa Umi to my surprise, isn't as popular. Hapa Umi is the more upscale version of Izakaya with a twist of class and elegance. I seriously caught the late train. I didn't realize Hapa Umi closed down last month until I went to back for another plate of beef tataki. Nonetheless, I had pictures saved on my laptop, I felt a need to honour this loss love of mine. 

Hapa Umi is now replaced with Hapa Izakaya Coal Harbour. Unfortunately I didn't go in because I didnt have a reservation and I decided to choose another restaurant. It was said in their news release that customers "felt there was a greater, unmet demand for an izakaya style restaurant in the Coal Harbour area". In essence, the spirit of the Hapa chain is still there, but I think the higher class of Hapa Umi's spirit has transformed into a more approachable environment, striving for an authenticity vibe straight off the streets of Tokyo.

I have been here many times, each time without reservation, as Hapa Umi is consistently my "heat of the moment I am craving Japanese food" restaurant. Hapa Umi seems to be a sold out show all the time, believe it or not, I have never sat at the dining room. Each time I come last minute, I have been seated at the lounge. Which is not a big deal to me, there are higher couches and stools in a slightly darker section of the diner, serving the same menu. I need only to be happy to have a seat to enjoy the food. I much enjoyed Umi to Izakaya because I preferred a professional ambiance than a party mood. But now that Umi has shifted to an Izakaya, the food is cheaper and more diverse... I can't complain!

Lunch Munch: STACKHOUSE BURGER BAR - DOWNTOWN VANCOUVER

I have found a new burger love! Burgers are the childhood love of all. But as I grew older, Ronald McDoodoo was no longer my idol and I slowly gravitated to more gourmet burgers. Burgers are usually hit and miss for me,   it tends to take a great deal of effort for me to find a perfect burger place. I find myself constantly complaining about the bun being soggy, or the patty being over cooked, or the presentation to sloppy, even little details like the onions aren't sweet enough. 

Burgers are such classic goods, it takes a quite a bit of oomph for a burger to bring itself out of the ordinary into something spectacular.

Stackhouse burger was definitely something different. It was amazing!

We ordered

Ahi Tuna Burger - 5oz Ahi tuna steak with miso aioli, watercress and creamy avocado. TOpped with fried onions, served on a brioche bun

Stackhouse Burger - 6.5 oz local prime rib patty with pancetta, portabellini, Cuiness cheddar, chipotle aioli and butter lettuce served on a brioche bun.

Poutine - seasoned fries served with local bocconcini, topped with truggle demi-glace

All entrees and sliders are served side fries of side mesclun salad

AMBIANCE | Despite the grey area its located in (the edge of downtown), the decor of the diner is surprising. The main theme of the restaurant is a fresh, but quirky feeling. Featuring ceiling to floor glass windows, a large mirror filled with graffiti, a white wall filled with booze and small random decors, Stackhouse has a minimalism, but bohemian texture. It reminds me of very chic, young, urban American cafes that are not popular here in Vancouver. 

FOOD | $15-20 a burger with fries is like 5 times the price of a McDoodoo burger. Was it worth it? Absolutely. The Ahi Tuna Burger with avocado was an interesting combo. I've never had anything quite like it. Ahi Tuna and avocado are two of my favourite things. I even upgraded the fries to my favourite POUTINE! The meal was a super favourite for me! I could use a little more avocado, and a warmer bun... but the Ahi Tuna was cooked to prefection - ever so slightly raw. The Classic Stackhouse burger was the special of the day at $10! I made Mr. F choose the Salad to make me feel better about eating such heavy lunches, and I could not have been more pleased with the salad. The salad is a simple veggie and vinegar x olive oil mix, but it has a touch of edamame beans! Such a wonderful surprise!

I have recommended Stackhouse to many people and each time they come back to me as pleased as can be. Stackhouse in my opinion, masters the art of creating a unique spirit in simple, classic foods. I will be back!

1224 Granville Street
Vancouver, BC V6B 2G6

Brunch Munch - PROVENCE MARINASIDE - YALETOWN VANCOUVER

Nothing beats having an sunny side up egg on a non-sunny day! Jokes, I'm being a pest because it was raining when I got to Provence. In Provence, its always sunny! I love their quirky slogan: "Enjoy the South of France without a Jetlag!"

Provence has such an amazing location in False Creek, next to the Yaletown Roundhouse Community Centre, its always nice to enjoy a luxurious brunch there no matter the weather.

We ordered (Party of three)

Smoke Salmon Eggs Benedict - Poached eggs, smoked salmon on pancakes

Seafood Crepes - Salmon, baby scallops, shrimps, spinach, veloute

(Me) Provence Panini - Goat cheese, pesto, sun dried tomato, prosciutto

Cafe Cappucino

Berry and White Chocolate Clafoutis- French style cake served warm with vanilla ice cream

Menu found here

1177 Marinaside Cresent

Vancouver, BC